Title

Absorb the Rainbow

Problem Scenario

This project was chosen because if you put posters outside, it would be nice to know if they would be effected. Say that you are at the science fair and you were one of the people that were put out side and you covered your poster in construction paper. Maybe there was a leak in the tent and you didn't want to have your poster get ruined. You would want to know what color paper to cover your poster with.

Broad Question

What paper works best in water?

Specific Question

Does the color of the paper effect its water absorbency?

Hypothesis

Yes, the lighter colors will absorb more water.

Graph of Hypothesis

Variables

Independent Variable:

color of paper

Dependent Variable:

water absorbed

Variables That Need To Be Controlled:

width of paper
size of paper
time absorption

Vocabulary List That Needs Explanation

absorb
verb (used with object)
to suck up or drink in (a liquid); soak up: A sponge absorbs water.

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General Plan

• Where will you conduct this experiment? I will conduct this at my house on the counter with the help of my parents.
• What will you actually be doing? I will be measuring the amount of water.

Potential Problems And Solutions

THe paper will float. hold the paper down with hands.

Safety Or Environmental Concerns

Positional water spills

Experimental Design

Number Of Comparison Categories:

I have seven types of colored paper.

Number of Comparison Samples:

I will have three samples of each.

Number Of Observation In Each Sample:

I will have one observation per sample

When data will be collected

I will collect the data between 2/4 and 3/1.

Where will data be collected?:

I am going to collect my data at my house on the counter with a tub of water and my materials.

Resources and Budget Table

Item	Number needed	Where I will get this	Cost
construction paper	21	home	n/a
water		home	n/a
recording sheet	1	school	n/a
graduated cylinder	1	school	n/a
funnel	1	home	n/a

Detailed Procedure

1. Gather materials
2. Fill tub with water
3. Put funnel in the Gradulated cylinder
4. Put paper in water and wait 3 minutes
5. Squeeze the water into the funnel
6. Look at the graduated cylinder
7. Record amount of water.
8. Repeat steps 2-7 for all paper

Diagram

Photo List

Time Line

Data Table

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Data Analysis

All Raw Data

See data table

Graphs

Photos

Results

Almost all of the colors of paper showed that the second trial was the most absorbent. They also show that trial one is the least absorbent. During the process of gathering the data it was found that as the paper was being submerged it started to become buoyant.

Conclusion

This graph does not support the hypothesis. The black paper absorbed more all together. But the hypothesis that was stated was
Yes, the lighter colors will absorb more water.
Discussion
What patterns or trends did the data show?
All of the data showed the same result in the second trial.
How strong is the relationship between the independent and dependent variable?
There is not a very strong relationship between the variables. There is a different amount of water absorbed for each trial and each color.
Were you able to answer the experiment question?
Yes I was able to answer the question.
Did your experiment have any problems or did the data contain any errors?
The only problem I had was finding a way to get the water out of the paper.
Who could use this information in the real world?
People in the paper making industry could use this.
How could this experiment be improved upon or advanced?
Finding a improved way o get the water out.

Benefit to Community and/or Science

This could help people in the paper mache business. To make there creations colorful.

Background Research

"When people make construction paper, they mix together chunks of wood and hot water to form a mushy mixture called pulp. Recycled paper is added to make the pulp thicker and dye is added to give it color.The pulp mixture moves over a wire conveyor belt. As it travels, the water is taken out and the pulp becomes less shiny, less mushy and more like paper. The pulp then moves over big heated barrels. The heat dries up any extra water and the pulp then becomes construction paper.Workers load long, long sheets of the paper onto big rolls. All the colors that go in each package of construction paper are put together and then sent to a machine called a feeder where they'll be put into stacks and cut into big sheets. The stacks of paper are kept in a warehouse until it's time to cut them into the different sizes people need.Finally, each stack of paper is wrapped in plastic and sent to stores, so people can buy it.

References

"PBS Kids - Mister Rogers' Neighborhood: How People Make Construction Paper - Still Pictures Factory Tour." PBS Kids - Mister Rogers' Neighborhood: How People Make Construction Paper - Still Pictures Factory Tour. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2013.

Abstract

I was to solve the question: does the color of the paper affect its water absorbency? My hypothesis was that the color would affect it and that lighter colors would absorb more. The graph did not support the hypothesis. The black paper absorbed more all together. But the hypothesis that was stated was
Yes, the lighter colors will absorb more water. To do this experiment I gathered my materials (Construction paper, funnel, water, recording sheet, graduated cylinder). Then fill the tub with water. Put funnel into the graduated cylinder. Put paper in water and wait 3 minutes Squeeze the water into the cup. Then dump the water into the funnel. Look at the graduated cylinder, record amount of water. Repeat for all paper. Doing this experiment almost all of the colors of paper that were the darkest showed that the second trial was the most absorbent. They also show that trial one is the least absorbent. During the process of gathering the data it was found that as the paper was being submerged it started to become buoyant. The experiment did not support the hypothesis. The black paper absorbed more all together. But the hypothesis that was stated was "Yes, the lighter colors will absorb more water."